Medical Assistant · Salary Comparison · 2026
Medical Assistant Salary: New York, NY vs Austin, TX
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Medical Assistants in New York, NY and Austin, TX, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ New York, NY
$50,000 vs $42,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Austin, TX
$26,738 vs $33,871
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Austin, TX
$23,013 vs $31,297
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | New York, NY | Austin, TX | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $50,000▲ | $42,000 | +$8,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $38,500▲ | $32,340 | +$6,160 |
| 75th Percentile | $64,000▲ | $53,760 | +$10,240 |
| 90th Percentile | $80,000▲ | $67,200 | +$12,800 |
| Cost of Living Index | 187 | 124 | +63 |
| State Income Tax | 6.85% | 0%▲ | +6.85% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $26,738 | $33,871▲ | -$7,133 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $43,035▲ | $38,808 | +$4,227 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $23,013 | $31,297▲ | -$8,284 |
| Total Employment | 170,000 | 95,000 | +75,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = New York, NY minus Austin, TX.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, New York, NY pays $8,000 more (median: $50,000 vs $42,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 187 vs 124), Austin, TX provides better purchasing power ($26,738 vs $33,871 equivalent). Austin, TX has no state income tax, which is a significant advantage.
Data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS · 2026 · Cost-of-living indices from composite metro area data. Take-home estimates approximate only — consult a tax professional for accurate figures.